This backdrop explains why Democrats were taken aback this week when Senator Bernie Sanders—in the midst of a nationwide speaking tour with Tom Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee—questioned Ossoff’s political merits. Asked by The Wall Street Journal whether Ossoff was a progressive, Sanders said, “I don’t know.” The Washington Postgot a more categorical quote: “He’s not a progressive.”

There were multiple times during the primaries when I tried to talk myself into supporting Sanders. LOTS of people around me were supporting him. People who I’m used to being on the same side with, politically speaking.

Shit like this is why I could never quite make myself do it. I don’t totally trust this man and right now I really need him to take a step back.